A judge in Georgia has blocked a controversial order mandating that ballots in November’s presidential election be counted by hand, citing the potential for “administrative chaos.” The ruling, issued by Judge Robert McBurney, halts the hand-count order passed last month by a pro-Trump majority on the state election board. McBurney argued that the abrupt change would overwhelm poll workers, who would lack adequate training to handle millions of ballots by hand, ultimately risking public confidence in the election’s legitimacy.
With early voting already underway in Georgia and drawing record-breaking turnout, McBurney’s decision is seen as a safeguard against further disruption. On the first day of voting, over 328,000 people cast their ballots—more than double the previous record set in 2020. Georgia, a crucial swing state where President Joe Biden narrowly defeated former President Donald Trump by just under 12,000 votes in 2020, is again expected to play a decisive role in this year’s election.
The hand-count rule required that poll workers open ballot boxes and manually tally the results already recorded by voting machines. Critics argued that the rule would delay certification of election results, giving the board room to manipulate or challenge the final count. In his ruling, McBurney emphasized the heightened importance of transparency, writing, “Anything that adds uncertainty and disorder to the electoral process disserves the public.”
Trump, who faces legal charges for allegedly attempting to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results, held a rally in Atlanta on Tuesday. Speaking to supporters, he urged them to deliver a win “too big to rig,” doubling down on his unfounded claims of election fraud. Meanwhile, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris engaged in outreach efforts with Black voters, a group that recent polls suggest Trump is making gains with. Speaking on a popular radio show, she stressed the importance of active political participation: “The things that we want, and are prepared to fight for, won’t happen if we’re not active and if we don’t participate.”
The legal fight over ballot certification is just one of several election-related cases moving through Georgia’s courts, with the state set to play a pivotal role in November’s election. McBurney’s ruling underscores the tension surrounding election integrity and reinforces the courts’ role in preserving a fair process amid intense political scrutiny.
